A sign described in this chapter shall comply with the restrictions provided in article 13.03, sign standards, and all applicable restrictions of this chapter, other requirements of the Code of Ordinances, and applicable State or Federal law. In the case of any conflicts between this and other sign regulations, the most restrictive regulation applies unless the City’s authority is preempted by a higher order of government.
(Ordinance CO27-17-03-09-H5 adopted 3/9/17)
(a) 
Where permitted.
The standards for individual sign types in article 13.03, sign standards, indicate whether illumination is allowed, and the type of illumination allowed (internal illumination, external illumination, or halo lit).
(b) 
Generally.
The following illumination requirements apply to all new signs:
(1) 
Compliance with Electrical Code.
Illuminated signs shall comply with all applicable provisions of the Electrical Code of the City. All electrical connections to the sign shall be placed underground. Electrical transformer boxes and raceways shall be concealed from public view. If a raceway cannot be mounted internally behind the finished exterior wall, the exposed metal surfaces of the raceway shall be finished to match the background wall or integrated into the overall sign design. If raceways are necessary, they shall never extend in width or height beyond the area of the sign’s lettering or graphics.
(2) 
Hazards.
Artificial light used in conjunction with the lighting of any sign shall not be directed or reflected onto any structure or constitute a hazard to the safe and efficient operation of vehicles upon a street or highway.
(3) 
Rotating or flashing lights.
No rotating beam or flashing beacon light shall be used on any sign or sign structure.
(4) 
Shield the light source.
The light source, whether internal or external, shall be shielded from view or directed so that the light intensity or brightness is directed away from the public right-of-way or boundary of any residential zoning district or residentially used property. Ground-mounted external flood lighting shall be shielded and properly placed and directed to avoid direct visibility of the directed light to passing motorists.
(5) 
Light trespass.
No sign or associated luminaire shall create light spillover of more than 0.1 footcandles at any property line within or bounding a residential use or district.
(6) 
Types of lighting.
Exposed neon tubing may be used in conjunction with other types of materials to attractively emphasize the sign copy. Fluorescent and incandescent lighting shall be diffused by translucent glass or plastic.
(7) 
Use a projected light source.
Illumination by a projected light shall be an indirect spotlight or gooseneck down light. External lighting fixtures shall not cast light or glare in any direction other than on the elements of the sign. Such lighting shall be placed so as to provide even illumination to the signage and to avoid hot spots or dark areas on the signage.
(c) 
Timing.
Illuminated signs within a residentially zoned area shall shut off between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. The sign shall include an automatic shut-off mechanism to ensure that the signs are not illuminated during the time provided above.
(d) 
Brightness.
Illuminated signs shall not operate at brightness levels of more than 0.3 footcandles above ambient light conditions at the property line, as measured using a footcandle meter. Illumination levels shall be measured in footcandles with a meter sensor in a horizontal position at an approximate height of three (3) feet above grade. Maximum illumination readings are to be taken directly beneath the luminaire. The point at which readings shall be taken is dependent upon the area classification and fixture arrangements. (See also division 11.05.02 [sic], performance standards.)
(e) 
Prohibited illumination.
An illuminated sign shall not:
(1) 
Be illuminated by flashing, intermittent, or moving lights;
(2) 
Include audio, pyrotechnic, or bluecasting (bluetooth advertising) components; or
(3) 
Consist of a static image projected upon a stationary object.
(Ordinance CO27-17-03-09-H5 adopted 3/9/17)
(a) 
Generally.
(1) 
Electronic message centers (EMCs) and manual changeable copy may be used as part of monument signs and canopy signs where indicated in article 13.03, sign standards, pursuant to the standards of this section.
(2) 
No sign structure that includes a changeable copy sign may also include an EMC.
(3) 
All EMC and manual changeable copy regulations are also subject to all general illumination standards as set forth in Section 13.02.002, illumination of signs.
(b) 
Electronic message centers (EMCs).
(1) 
Generally.
Size calculation is based on the total sign face dimensions, whereby the EMC reader panel area is counted against the total allowable sign area, as provided in section 13.03.002, attached signs, and section 13.03.003, freestanding signs.
(2) 
Illumination.
(A) 
Light trespass.
All message center signs that are directly illuminated shall include a sensor or other device that automatically determines the ambient illumination and is programmed to automatically dim according to ambient light conditions, or that can be adjusted to comply with the footcandle requirement. In areas zoned for any type of residential district or use, a trespass limit of 0.1 footcandles shall be enforced at the property line.
(B) 
Technology.
The technology currently being deployed for EMCs is LED (light emitting diode), but there may be alternate, preferred and/or superior technology available in the future. Any other technology that complies with the illumination standards is permitted.
(3) 
Spacing.
EMCs shall have a minimum spacing of:
(A) 
At least 50 feet between the EMC and the property line of any residential use or district and shall shut off between the hours of 12:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. The distance is calculated as the shortest measurable distance between the nearest point of the sign to the edge of the residential property line or district, or to the property line of an institutional use.
(B) 
At least 50 feet between any two (2) EMCs on separate properties.
(4) 
Design requirements.
(A) 
Percentage of sign area.
EMCs, including their frames, shall comprise no more than 50 percent of the sign area of a monument sign and a maximum of 12 square feet of a canopy sign. The balance of the sign area shall use permanent, dimensional letters or symbols.
Figure 13.02.03.01
Electronic Message Center Maximum Face Area for Monument/Canopy Signs
(B) 
Minimum display time.
Each static message on the sign must be displayed for a minimum of eight seconds duration. Message changes shall be completed within one (1) second.
(C) 
Digital copy.
EMCs shall contain static messages only, and shall not have movement or the appearance or optical illusion of movement during the static display period of any part of the sign. Each static message shall not include any flashing or the varying of light intensity, and the message shall not scroll.
(D) 
Safety.
An EMC must:
(i) 
Include systems and monitoring to either turn the display off or show “full black” on the display and freeze the sign in one (1) position at the maximum illumination provided in this section, electronic message centers (EMCs) in the event of a malfunction;
(ii) 
Be designed so that if a catastrophic power surge occurs, the sign will go dark or will have maximum brightness limitations in place; and
(iii) 
Contain a default mechanism that freezes the sign in one (1) position if a malfunction occurs.
Figure 13.02.03.02
Electronic Message Center Design Requirements
(c) 
Manual changeable copy.
(1) 
Illumination.
Manual changeable copy signs shall not be internally illuminated unless:
(A) 
They use opaque inserts with translucent letters, numbers, or symbols;
(B) 
Blank or dark opaque inserts that are the same color as the opaque portions of the letters, numbers, and symbols are used over all areas of the sign where copy is not present; and
(C) 
The opaque portion of the letters, numbers, and symbols is the same color.
(2) 
Lettering.
Lettering of changeable copy signs shall be of a single style and shall be of uniform color and size.
(3) 
Size.
Manual changeable copy signs, including their frames, may comprise up to fifty (50) percent of the sign area of a monument sign or up to twelve (12) square feet of a canopy sign. The balance of the sign area shall use permanently affixed letters or symbols.
(4) 
Integral element.
Manual changeable copy signs are only permitted as an integral element of a monument or canopy sign, which encloses the changeable copy area on all sides with a finish of brick, stone, stucco, powder coated (or comparably finished) metal, or the surface of the sign face.
(5) 
Enclosure.
The enclosure shall extend at least six (6) inches from the changeable copy area in all directions. Gaps between the changeable copy area and the surround are permitted to accommodate locks and hinges for a cover for the changeable copy area, but only to the extent necessary for such locks and hinges to operate.
Figure 13.02.03.03
Manual Changeable Copy Sign
(Ordinance CO27-17-03-09-H5 adopted 3/9/17)
(a) 
General regulations.
(1) 
All signs and their locations shall comply with the provisions of the City’s adopted Building and Electrical Codes as applicable and any additional standards stated in this chapter and other ordinances of the City.
(2) 
Supports and braces shall be an integral part of the sign design. Angle irons, chains, or wires used for supports or braces shall be hidden from public view to the extent technically feasible.
(3) 
Any permanent sign faces erected or maintained on any freestanding sign structure other than the principle sign for which the structure was designed must be compatible with the original design and meet all other requirements of this chapter.
(4) 
Freestanding signs shall be self-supporting structures and be permanently attached to sufficient foundations.
(5) 
Attached signs must derive their principle and total support from the building to which they are attached.
(b) 
Electrical standards.
(1) 
Electrical service to illuminated signs shall be concealed to the maximum extent practicable.
(2) 
Electrical signs shall be marked with input amperes at full load.
(3) 
Each illuminated and/or electrical sign shall bear a label or certification visible from the ground, from the Underwriter’s Laboratories, Inc. (UL), or any other approved independent electrical inspection agency qualified to make that certification.
(Ordinance CO27-17-03-09-H5 adopted 3/9/17)
All signs in the City and ETJ shall be maintained in good repair and working order at all times. The Sign Administrator may order the painting, repair, or removal of a sign and accompanying landscaping which constitute a hazard to safety, health, or public welfare by reason of inadequate maintenance, dilapidation, obsolescence, or abandonment.
(Ordinance CO27-17-03-09-H5 adopted 3/9/17)